A COACH driver from Okehampton who spent 43 years driving around holidaymakers from Devon around Europe has finally embarked on his own journey of rest and relaxation.

Les Forsdyke, who drove for Northlew-based Carmel Coaches for 26 years, was given a grand send off at his retirement party recently, and wasted no time in leaving for his retirement cottage in the hamlet of Brancillet in the French region of Brittany.

Les started driving coaches in his early twenties, and said his lifelong career came about completely by chance.

'When I was younger I had a shop in the old arcade in Okehampton, and one morning the owner of a Northlew coach firm, Pop Gay, said to me: "ere boy, you want something to do of a morning?" and it really started from there.

'I met him the following day, and off we went up the old road to Exeter. Just before we got to Drybridge, Pop slipped out of the driving seat and I hopped in.

'When we got to Exeter, we drove round for a bit and ended up at the test centre, where Pop told me he had my test all booked. It was the first time I'd ever been behind the steering wheel of a coach, but I passed the test.

'After a while I went off and drove for a couple of other firms in the area, until 1984 when Pop approached me again and said he'd just sold the business to Tony Hazell, who started Carmel, and so I ended up back where I started.'

Manager of Carmel Coaches Tony Hazell said Les was a much-loved driver for the firm: 'Les was a very versatile and trusted driver: he did most of our long distance trips, as well as school runs and day trips.

'At his retirement do, we gave Les a watch and a picture of the last two coaches he drove. Les got very attached to his coaches and was our last driver who had a regular vehicle.'

Les said: 'I looked after my coach and always kept it clean and tidy. At the end of the day, it was your second home.

'During the continental tours you're living in the coach, so you want to keep it the same way you would your house.'

It was through his job as a driver that Les first travelled abroad: 'At the age of 23 I drove Liskeard Scouts over to Quimper in France for a week, and that was the first time I'd ever been abroad. I also drove to Lillehammer in Norway the same year they held the Winter Olympics there, and that was breathtaking.

'Away trips weren't a holiday, mind you. Whenever I went away, Tony would say, "Enjoy your holiday", but I would reply, "Thanks Tony, but don't forget you're paying me!"

'I would have to deal with any complaints from the passengers, and I heard some pretty ridiculous ones over the years.'

Of his retirement, Les said: 'I fell in love with France when I visited with my Mum when she was still around. I bought the cottage 14 years ago with the idea of retiring here, so it's brilliant to finally have the chance to do that after holidaying here for the past few years.'

'I'm thoroughly looking forward to a retirement of throwing logs on the fire and drinking red wine!'